RVHA Moves To Probe Omuma LG Boss

The Rivers State House of Assembly, Tuesday, constituted a five man investigative committee to look into the allegation of financial recklessness, budgetary misappropriation and insecurity levelled against the Omuma local government  chairman, Mr John Anucha by the council’s legislative arm.

The probe panel which has the Assembly Deputy, Hon Hope Ikiriko as chairman is mandated to report its findings to the House next Monday.

The lawmakers’ action  apparently followed  the allegations of Omuma councillors who appeared before the House on the invitation of the State legislature.

The OMULGA House Leader,  Chisom Nwaiwu who spoke on behalf of his colleagues had  told the Assembly that the council chairman, Mr. John Anucha had not followed due process in expending the 2010 budget as approved by the councillors.

Nwaiwu said that the councillors had approved N85 million for the  construction of a new secretariat against the N100m budget estimate the chairman  presented to the House. He alleged that the council chairman however spent N100 million on the project.

As if that was not enough, he said  the legislative arm approved N8 million for 2009 and 2010 for constituency ward projects for the councillors. Out of the amount he said, the chairman paid N3 million only to the councillors as at February 2010.

On  insecurity in the local government area, the  councillor accused the council chairman of using council’s fund in tackling insecurity in the area instead of the approved security vote.

He blamed the incessant insecurity in the  area to the refusal of John Anucha to partner with the councillors in tackling cases of insecurity, adding that there had been series of stakeholders meeting convened in the area which the chairman turned down.

The OMULGA legislative leader said that the security situation in Omuma had degenerated resulting in the loss of lives on daily basis. He believed that if urgent steps were not taken to address the matter, the entire local government area may be deserted.

The Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry who presided over the sitting described the council boss as the worst chairman in the state. He said it was  unimaginable that the entire councillors were against him.

The speaker had earlier asked the council chairman to walk out of chambers for improper dressing; a situation which forced the House to a stand still for about 40 minutes before he re-emerged at the chambers  with a borrowed tie.

John Anucha, responding  denied all the allegations brought against him, saying they were untrue.